Ella Carter is the Editor-in-Chief for the Yearbook at McNeil High School in Round Rock, Texas. Carter works as a specialist in legislative and communicative efforts to reach everyone from students and advisors to law makers through a variety of different ways.

“Student journalism rights are important to me because I’ve experienced journalistic censorship and unfairness firsthand when I’ve wanted to expand coverage and write on certain topics, and have been limited by administration at my school. It’s important to me that every student feels their journalistic education is expansive and is unhindered for them to grow as student journalists.”

What I Do

As the legislative and communications specialist officer of New Voices Texas, I work to promote student journalism and journalistic freedom that allows students to educate themselves and choose what to report on without fear of censorship. I’m hoping to use my legislative background from working with a policy foundation close to the capitol to get New Voices legislation prepared for the next session, and specifically to get republican representatives included on any important bills. I plan to work with the legislative officer extensively throughout navigating connections and events with the capitol, as well as bill text, sponsorships and community support. I will measure success as an officer if by the start of the legislative session, New Voices Texas has a bill on the table, co sponsored and bipartisan, and we are able to raise significant awareness to attract media attention and community interest. By the end of the school year I hope that I have used my experience well enough to lead New Voices into the coming legislative session and that I have learned to communicate with others and develop extracurricular experience in a field that I’m passionate about through New Voices.